[at-l] slackpacking: opinions on it ?

[PMAnderson@apshealthcare.com (Anderson, Paula_(MD))]

I don't see how its related to trail mystique at all.....

Do you mean thru hiking mystique?   nobody outside the thru-hiking world -
especially the AT thru world - even knows what slackpacking is or even
thinks its an issue.  as far as most are concerned, its all about the
walking, not how much weight you have on your back.  Since they don't know
it exists or think its a laughable issue, I don't see how it can effect
their feeling of 'mystique'.  If you're a thru-hiker, there isn't any
mystique to be worried about.

AT trail mystique lives thru day hikers, overnighters, long section, short
section, walk in /out couple mile trips to see a blaze.  slackpacking is
just another variation of trail use.  its just walking with a smaller pack
is all.  I've never seen a thru-hiking slackpacker w/ nothing - you still
need your weather stuff in case you get hit w/ a rain storm over that ridge
you cant see the other side of - unless its soo warm you don't need
raingear, you still need water treatment, lunch, camera, maps maybe, first
aid etc.  The only thing you usually leave behind is some extra clothes, all
your extra food, tent & sleeping bag & some other misc stuff.  unless I was
only doing 5-8 miles or so as a half day thing, I always ended up carrying
my pack anyways just to hold my gear I still needed for a day in the woods.
its not like you've got all your misc small daypacks w/ you like you do @
home - so most slackpackers have a pack w/ them - or someone in the group to
carry it all & they take turns.

All slackpacking really is just a lighter pack & going back to the same
location you started from, at the end of the day your still walking.

Paula

-----Original Message-----
From: Desert Nomad [mailto:lucy@uia.net]
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 4:14 PM
To: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [at-l] slackpacking: opinions on it ?


Do you think it is taking away from the mystique of the AT or is "hike
your own hike" all that truly matters??



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